Ice cops Last year’s vandalism prompts Fire & Ice security team

One of several sculptures vandalized at last year's Fire & Ice Festival.

In recent years, the Fire & Ice Festival has been marred twice by acts of vandalism.

According to event organizer, Dawn Rissmiller, about six sculptures were damaged by vandals overnight last year. Some were knocked over with pieces broken. The lost was approximately $2,500.

Rissmiller recalled that six years ago, an intoxicated man damaged an ice sculpture with a hammer. After that, the festival organizers arranged for security. There were no problems since, so they decided it was safe to skip security last year.

"It’s a shame. We didn’t think it was necessary anymore," said Rissmiller. "It’s Lititz. You feel safe here. Who would want to harm an ice block? That’s someone who is a coward and that is a cheap way to make trouble. It’s very disappointing."

Security will not be lacking at this weekend’s event.

"A lot of people came forward last year and designated themselves as our security team," Rissmiller said. "We have two separate groups that will man Main Street, Broad and the entire Park. Lititz definitely stood up last year and said ‘We don’t want this to happen again!’"

The security teams will be overseen by the Lititz Police Department. More SECURITY, page A10